Brad Pitt wanted divorce delay

The 52-year-old actor was reportedly told of his ex-wife's intentions just two days before she filed papers to end their two-year marriage, and he urged her to slow down the process for the sake of their six children, Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

A source said: "He begged [Angelina] to press pause.

"He was willing to do anything, change any habit, change any lifestyle, to do what had to be done to make this work.

"And by 'make this work,' that means doing what has to be done to make even a split one that is amicable and in the best interests of the children."

And the 'Moneyball' star - who reportedly had counselling "to try to figure out how to make things better" for the children - has been left "wrecked" by the 41-year-old actress-and-director's decision.